The Little Paper

Long days, short nights, Canada Day, Fireworks and Fun

You’ll find no shortage of family-friendly revelry in the city on Canada Day. Harbourfront Centre’s www.harbourfrontcentre.com annual celebration beckons with a mini-kayak obstacle course for kids, canoe rides on Natrel Pond, a white and red hairspray station and new songs and rhythms to learn at the Canadian jump rope games. In addition, The Redpath Toronto Waterfront Festival is on until 4 July, look way up for the tall ships and bring your kids by the craft tent, to concoct a windsock.

The beach neighbourhood hosts two Canada Day events, a music festival, Summerfest in Woodbine Park and the carnival-style Beaches Lions Canada Day Family Festival in Kew Gardens.

Looking for something low-key? The following Toronto Historic Museums, hold Canada Day festivities: Fort York, Gibson House, Mackenzie House, Montgomery’s Inn (the Inn’s first Farmer’s Market also opens this day), Scarborough Museum and Todmorden Hills Heritage Museum and Arts Centre. Or, If you long to unwind, meander through the park and gardens at the Evergreen Brickworks 1 July BYO Picnic. Most of Toronto’s Historic Museums are free Canada day and also offer free admission on weekends all summer long.

If a local, community experience is more your style, there are numerous celebrations throughout the city, check with your local MPP, Legion or neighbourhood park.

Interested in starting your own tradition? The folks at Kaboom have some great suggestions about adding fireworks to the mix. For the beginner with small kids, try Roman Candles, Fountains, Burning School House, Pinwheels and Ground Effects Fireworks. For $17.95, they sell a Happy Pack Kit, which provides a small show (approx 5 minutes) for families with kids (newborn -3yrs). If you’d like a mid-range kit, have older kids and a bit more buck to spend on your bang, Rocket Fireworks sells Family Fireworks Kits from $30-$64.99 and if you’ve got a big open field or a rocky island and an experienced pyro-enthusiast, Kaboom says cakes are the way to go. For maximum ooh’s and ahh’s they recommend “crackling rain,” a floral burst cake, which will keep on bursting for 48 seconds, retailing for $44.99. Victory Fireworks is another great supplier.

It goes without saying, but we’ll say it anyway, safety is key. Only adults, 18 years and over are allowed to buy fireworks and kids should never handle them. Spectators need to be at least 20 feet away from the fireworks; kids with sparklers need to be supervised. Besides that; breathe, light, boom, fun.

1 July

Grab a flag, put on your best red and white and practise up your Oh Canada – there’s lots to do this Canada Day! 1 July

CANADA DAY FUN AT FORT YORK

Historic Fort York
100 Garrison Rd
416-392-6907
www.fortyork.ca
10am-5pm; Free
Celebrate “Being Canadian” with lots of fun activities; all-age soccer game; storytelling; a drumming jam; face & body painting; stilt-walkers; film & video screenings and a youth theatre workshop production (Passin’ On). Join a walk down to the nearby Waterfront Festival featuring fourteen Tall Ships. In addition, see the Fort York Summer Guard perform musket and artillery drill as well as fife and drum music. Tours of the fort on-going throughout the day.

CANADA DAY AT GIBSON HOUSE

Gibson House
5172 Yonge St
416-395-7432
12-5pm; Free admission
Journey to the rural community of Willow Dale, circa 1851. Taste the past with homemade ice cream, children’s activities in the Discovery Gallery, old-fashioned games on the lawn and samples of 19th-century cookery from the historic kitchen.

CANADA DAY STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL

Caledon Fairgrounds & Caledon Village Place
www.caledonfairgrounds.ca
10am-4pm; Free Admission
Strawberries and lots of family fun including a petting zoo, pony rides, clowns, crafts, tea room, music, food booths, strawberry pancake breakfast and a Canada day ceremony at noon.

CANADA DAY

Mel Lastman Square
5100 Yonge Street
416-338-0338
5pm; Free
Mel Lastman Square is sporting a healthy evening for families. Meet Olympic athletes, visit an activity station and have a bite to eat at the KidSport Fundraiser BBQ, then join the 100-Metre Canada Day Dash. Around the Square see magicians, jugglers, fire-breathers, urban dancers and live music performances.

FESTIVAL OF FIRE

Ontario Place
955 Lakeshore Blvd W
416-314-9900
www.ontarioplace.com
Incl with admission
The best fireworks Canada has to offer, choreographed to music, light up the city’s waterfront. Enjoy great Canadian entertainment throughout the day including live music. Be sure to check out demonstrations performed by Native Canadian dance troops. Wearing the traditional dress of their tribes, the performers will sing, dance and play live music.

CALEDON CANADA DAY STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL

Downey’s Farm Market & Winery
13682 Heart Lake Rd, N of Brampton
905-838-2990
www.downeysfarm.on.ca
9am-5pm, strawberry pancake breakfast : 9am, opening ceremonies: 10:30am Free admission, Pancake breakfast: $7/person
Live entertainment, Antique cars and tractors, games, goat walk, farm animals, Bob’s Banjo Band and last but not least, delicious strawberries to pick.

EAST YORK TORONTO CANADA DAY

Stan Wadlow Park
Woodbine/O’Connor Aves
416-238-9913
Parade: 9am, Motorcade starts at East York Town Centre, 11am, Park events start at 10:15am, Fireworks display at 11pm.
The longest running all day community event in Canada. Parade, midway, fireworks. Tents filled with booths full of crafts, food and valuable community information. There will also be street displays and demonstrations. The stage show includes muti-cultural dancing and lots of entertainment. A 15-20 minute fireworks display at dusk.

BEACHES LIONS CANADA DAY FAMILY FESTIVAL

Kew Gardens
Lee Ave at Queen St E
416-820-0790
www.beacheslions.com
12-6pm; Good old-fashioned birthday celebration with Beach Idol, a kids carnival, craft show and live entertainment on the bandshell at Kew Gardens.

CANADA DAY CELEBRATIONS

Black Creek Pioneer Village
1000 Murray Ross Pkwy
416-667-6295
www.blackcreek.ca
$15/adults, $11/children
Witness history in the making as 30 people become Canadian citizens at this one-of-a-kind Swearing in Ceremony. Special activities include crafts, games, music and more.

MULTICULTURAL CANADA DAY FESTIVAL

Yonge-Dundas Square
North-East Corner of Yonge St at Dundas St
www.ydsquare.ca
12-9pm; Free
The Community Folk Art Council of Toronto, hosts this event showcasing ethnic folk dance performances on the main stage as well as performing arts, visual arts, crafts, information and foods representing cultures from around the globe.

CANADA DAY CELEBRATIONS & FUNDRAISING BBQ

Scarborough Historical Museum
1007 Brimley Road, N of Lawrence in Thomson Memorial Park
416-338-8807
10am-4pm; PWYC
Sample some historic treats and enter a pie eating contest. Fundraising sales include Peameal Bacon on a Bun and Fresh Strawberries with Ice Cream.

CANADA DAY AT TODMORDEN MILLS

Todmorden Mills Heritage Museum & Arts Centre
67 Pottery Road
416-396-2819
12-4pm; Pack a picnic lunch and celebrate Canada Day in the Valley! Visit 19th-century homes, sample treats prepared in the historic kitchens, and enjoy activities for children.

CANADA DAY CELEBRATIONS & TORONTO RIBFEST

Centennial Park, Etobicoke
256 Centennial Park Rd
www.torontoribfest.com
Toronto Ribfest holds a massive Canada Day celebration in Centennial Park, Etobicoke. Come enjoy live music, succulent ribs, carnival rides, climbing wall and pony rides. At dusk, a lively fireworks display lights up the sky. The vendor area includes an arts and crafts show.

PAINT THE TOWN RED

Port Credit
www.paintthetownred.ca
Live music, children’s entertainers and family fun. Ceremony to cut the gigantic Canadian Flag Cake at noon, fireworks at dusk in Memorial Park.

CANADA DAY AT DOWNSVIEW PARK

Downsview Park
416-952-2222
www.downsviewpark.ca
11am-11pm; Free
An annual celebration in the park with free amusement rides and spectacular fireworks at dusk! Face painters, buskers, a petting zoo and kids’ activities.

COUNCILLOR BENNETT’S CANADA DAY CELEBRATION

Wells Hill Park
Bathurst & St Clair
www.carolynbennett.ca
1-3pm; Free
Join MP Carolyn Bennett for hot dogs, drinks and live music ... all are welcome.

DOMINION DAY CELEBRATION

Montgomery’s Inn
4709 Dundas St W
416-394-8113
1-4pm; $10/person
Visit the Inn for a Dominion Day celebration. Music in the historic Inn, guided tours, Inn-made strawberry ice cream in the historic kitchen, and strawberry rhubarb compote in the tea room on shortcake with whipped cream.

QUEEN’S PARK CANADA DAY

Queen’s Park
416-314-7526
11am, twenty-one gun salute at noon; Free
Live entertainment, inflatable games, carnival games, face-painting, crafts, strolling performers, skills challenges in hockey, basketball and golf, rock climbing, rides on firetruck and train and more! Also…autograph sessions by 3 Olympian athletes of the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.

CANADA DAY

Westfield Heritage Village
1049 Regional Rd, Rockton
1-800-883-0104
www.westfieldheritage.ca
12:30-4pm; $7.50/adults, $6.50/6-12yrs, Free/under 5yrs
Tour historical buildings and walk the 120 hectares of nature trails. You’re sure to run into famous historical characters. An historical fashion show will take place at 2 pm followed by a period dance.

CANADA DAY PICNIC

High Park
Bloor St & High Park Ave
416-769-5072
1-4pm; Join MP Gerard Kennedy and his family for a Picnic in High Park. Music, games and refreshments help celebrate this special day.

SUMMER FEST (ALL AGES)

Woodbine Park
Lakeshore Blvd E near Coxwell Ave
www.country953.com
12-9pm Free Admission
A Family Friendly celebration by the lake with headliners David Clayton-Thomas, Glass Tiger, the spoons and more. Enjoy the on-site family fun zone and Fireworks at Dusk.

CANADA DAY CELEBRATIONS

Harbourfront Centre
235 Queen’s Quay W
416-973-4000
www.harbourfrontcentre.com
Free; Celebrate Canada’s 143rd birthday at Harbourfront Centre. Home-grown music, dance, games, diabolo juggling, hula hoops and more. Free canoe rides and Mini-Kayak Obstacle Course for kids on Natrel Pond.

PAWSWAY’S BIRTHDAY PARTY

PawsWay, Pet Discovery Centre
245 Queens Quay W
416-360-7297
www.PawsWay.ca
11am-5pm; Celebrate Canada Day with some Canadian Dog Breeds: The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, Newfoundland, Labrador Retriever, Flat Coated Retriever, and Canadian Eskimo and hear the tragic tale of the now extinct Tahltan Bear Dog. Cat lover? Canada’s two home grown cat breeds; The Canadian Tonkinese and the Sphynx will be there.